Thursday letters: Pope praise, thanks for Philippine relief

Executive pastor of Houston's First Philippine Baptist Church Dr. Ernest Howard Dagohoy recently posed for a portrait with a collection box to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. He and volunteers from his church were planning to go to the Philippines to help with relief efforts. ( J. Patric Schneider / For the Chronicle )

Thanks, Houston

As we count our blessings this week, we, the Filipinos living in Texas, express our heartfelt gratitude to the generous Houstonians and South Texans who have responded to our appeals for support of the victims of super Typhoon Haiyan that recently ravaged Central Philippines. According to global weather experts, this has been the strongest typhoon ever recorded in the history of the planet, equivalent to the combined strength of 10 Katrinas and 25 tornadoes hitting simultaneously. Thousands have died, thousands more are needing critical medical help, with cholera and dengue epidemics threatening. A half million have lost their homes, and more than 4 million lives in six provinces have been adversely affected by the devastation whose effects will be felt for many years to come.

The generous spirit of Houstonians and South Texans was on display in the last two weeks with thousands of boxes of food, medicine and clothes that we have collected and shipped to the victims. Houston-based companies, churches, civic organizations and individuals have, together, donated close to $1 million toward the rescue, relief and rebuilding efforts.

Unbeknownst to younger generations of Americans, the Philippines is a former colony of the United States (the only real colony that the U.S. has ever had in its 237-year history), the oldest and most loyal U.S. ally in Asia for more than 100 years. More than 250,000 Filipino professionals are currently residing in Texas and contributing to the Texas economy in a big way.

When we say our prayers of Thanksgiving, please think of the families who have lost their homes and whose children are still missing or are starving. God bless you, the people of Houston and South Texas, for your kind hearts.

Regarding "Ditching compromise, Parker pushes through tough payday loan rules" (Page A1, Saturday), hooray for Mayor Annise Parker! I am so glad that a politician finally stands up against these companies that are usurious and preying on the people in our city who can least afford the excessive interest rates charged.

Texas lawmakers failing to pass legislation on these lending institutions the last two legislative sessions is an embarrassment. Of course, when you're making money hand over fist, you can afford some mighty influential lobbyists.

The companies in question threaten lawsuits if city government regulates them. Bring it.

There are so few prophetic voices in the world today: No Martin Luther Kings, no Gandhi. A prophet is not so much a forth-teller, as a teller-forth. This kind of prophet tells it like it is: flagging humankind's disastrous trends and warning us of a need for a new direction in our value system.

The increasing concentration of wealth in the hands of fewer and fewer individuals, institutions and nations should be a legitimate concern.